HBO Max Shakes Up February With New Premieres And Farewell To The Peanut Butter Falcon

HBO Max is ringing in February 2026 with a slate of new programming that’s as diverse as it is ambitious. But as the streaming giant prepares to welcome more than 60 new films and a host of original series, one beloved title is quietly making its exit: The Peanut Butter Falcon, Shia LaBeouf’s career-defining indie hit, is set to leave the platform on January 31st. For fans of heartfelt cinema, it’s a bittersweet moment amid the excitement of new arrivals.

LaBeouf’s journey from Disney Channel’s Even Stevens to the emotional depths of The Peanut Butter Falcon has been nothing short of remarkable. Released in 2019, the film drew widespread acclaim for its raw, sincere storytelling and the touching chemistry between LaBeouf’s rough-edged fisherman and Zack Gottsagen’s Zak, a young man with Down syndrome chasing his wrestling dreams. According to ComicBook.com, “LaBeouf’s raw, tender, and deeply personal performance as a rough-around-the-edges fisherman in The Peanut Butter Falcon is an indisputable career-best for the actor.”

Set against the lush backwaters of Georgia, the film’s modern-day Huckleberry Finn narrative struck a chord with audiences and critics alike. It’s a story of unlikely friendship, resilience, and the pursuit of happiness—without ever tipping into melodrama. As the two outcasts journey together, their bond is depicted with a sincerity that’s rare in contemporary cinema. The film manages to be both uplifting and grounded, balancing emotional depth with just enough offbeat comedy to keep things from getting saccharine.

It’s not just critical praise that The Peanut Butter Falcon earned. The film became the highest-grossing independent movie of 2019, raking in over $23 million against a modest $6.2 million production budget. Its “Certified Fresh” 95% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes cements it as one of the best-reviewed movies of LaBeouf’s career, second only to 2025’s Megadoc. Audience reception mirrored critical enthusiasm, with the movie boasting the actor’s highest-ever “Verified Hot” Popcornmeter score, according to ComicBook.com.

But for those hoping to catch—or revisit—this feel-good road-trip adventure, time is running out. As of February 1st, The Peanut Butter Falcon will no longer be available on HBO Max. After its removal, the only way to watch will be through online rental or purchase, with no word yet on if or when the film might appear on another streaming service. It’s a fleeting window, and fans are encouraged to stream it while they can.

Of course, while one door closes, another opens wide. HBO Max’s February lineup is packed with fresh content spanning genres, continents, and even centuries. The platform’s ongoing commitment to original and curated content is evident in the breadth of new releases—over 60 films and a robust schedule of TV premieres.

Among the most anticipated is Julian Glander’s animated feature Boys Go To Jupiter, debuting February 5th. The film follows Billy 5000, a Florida teen working as a food courier during the holidays, and promises a unique blend of visual innovation, introspective storytelling, and musical flair. MovieWeb’s review calls it “a lovely vibe…with thought-provoking discussions,” noting that while it may not be for everyone, its imaginative ambiance is sure to attract a devoted following.

For those drawn to romance with a twist of magical realism, Like Water for Chocolate returns for its second season on February 15th. The series, set in early 1900s Mexico, continues the tale of Tita de la Garza, whose culinary magic shapes the destinies of those around her. As detailed by ScreenHub, the new season promises “a visually captivating story of family, emotion and enduring desire,” with Tita confronting forbidden passions and the true cost of love amid a changing Mexico. Fans can expect closure to the first season’s love triangle, along with drama-heavy revelations and the show’s signature blend of ancestral alchemy and heartfelt emotion.

Thriller aficionados will want to mark February 20th for the streaming debut of Dead of Winter. Starring Emma Thompson in what critics are calling a career-best performance, the film follows Barb, a widow who stumbles upon a kidnapping while scattering her late husband’s ashes in the wilderness. With no phone reception and only her wits to rely on, Barb’s harrowing journey to save a captive young woman unfolds against a backdrop of snow and suspense. According to MovieWeb, “Emma Thompson is phenomenal here, giving one of her career-best performances and fully embracing the commendable, selfless hero archetype.”

Also premiering February 20th is Portebello, HBO’s first Original series from Italy. Based on the real-life ordeal of TV host Enzo Tortora, the miniseries traces his fall from stardom after being falsely accused of ties to organized crime. With festival buzz from Venice and a story rooted in media history, Portebello is poised to be a sleeper hit for fans of prestige television.

HBO Max isn’t shying away from hard-hitting documentaries, either. On February 3rd, the three-part docuseries Quiet in Class delves into Sweden’s largest-ever school abuse scandal. Over eight years, more than 150 students at Internationella Engelska Skolan in Karlstad were abused by a youth leader, despite repeated warnings from students. The series exposes how these warnings were ignored, leading to a national reckoning and a chilling examination of institutional failure. As ScreenHub describes, “More than 150 schoolchildren were abused by their own youth leader. The paedophile scandal…shocked the entire country when it came to light.”

Other notable February arrivals include the return of animated favorites like Smiling Friends and YOLO (both on February 4th), the quirky docuseries Neighbors (February 14th), and a new sex-comedy film, Splitsville, on February 24th. And for those who prefer their Super Bowl with a side of cuteness, HBO Max will stream Puppy Bowl XXII beginning February 8th.

For viewers who love a true-crime twist, February 20th brings Murder in Glitterball City, a two-part docuseries based on David Dominé’s novel about a sensational Louisville murder trial and the secrets lurking in a crumbling Victorian mansion.

Rounding out the month is a robust list of classic and contemporary films, from Life of Pi and The Shape of Water to Paddington 2 (arriving February 27th). Whether you’re in the mood for nostalgia or something brand new, HBO Max’s February offerings promise a little something for everyone.

As the platform says goodbye to The Peanut Butter Falcon, it’s clear that HBO Max remains committed to evolving its library—balancing the loss of a modern classic with an influx of bold, varied programming. For subscribers, the coming weeks are an invitation to explore, discover, and revisit favorites before they’re gone for good.